Hi. This is gonna sound like a dumb question I think....how do you guys sterilize your thermometers?
Do you do the bleach method? Any advice is always appreciated.
Thanks!
I would first clean any visible food particles from the thermometer, then I would get some Star San. (http://morewinemaking.com/view_product/16023/103305/Star_San_HB_-_High_Foam_%0D%0AAcid_Anionic_Cleaner%0D%0AFinal_Rinse_32_oz)
This is a foaming sanitizer that I think we all agree works very well In order for this to work, the thermometer must be in contact with the sanitizer for about 3 min.
What I do, is before and after each batch, i take a 5 gallon bucket and create a about 5 gallons of this and soak all of my tools in it. Including my thermometers.
I very much agree with Wayne. Since I am using the same thermometer for measuring water bath temp and milk temp, I keep a small container of the sanitizer on the counter. Each time I use it for one of those tasks I rinse it off then soak it again for at least 3 minutes in the sanitizer. In the future I hope to be set up so that I can have one thermometer for each and that would eliminate that back and forth sanitization routine. With bleach you'd have to be a little careful as you will need to make sure all the bleach is rinsed off well before using it in the milk. Hope that helps.
Sadly I follow poor hygene ::).
I wash everything at the end of each batch, either in the dishwasher or by hand. During I just rinse my digital thermometer under the tap.
Star San, OK! See, I would have never heard of that. Thanks guys and thanks for the link Wayne, gonna order some today.
Mary Ruth